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| Redfall could be this year's Christmas free game. Pictured: edited cover picture of the title. |
The holiday spirit is in full swing at the Epic Games Store, and the platform's annual mega giveaway is building towards its grand finale. For the eighth mystery title of the 2025 holiday sale, Epic has brought back a familiar face: the intense survival horror game, The Calisto Protocol. This repeat freebie has officially set the stage, confirming the longstanding rumor and turning the entire community's attention to the main event: the Christmas Day mystery game.
As players add The Calisto Protocol to their libraries for free (a deal live until December 25th), the speculation has erupted. What major title will Epic unveil as its festive gift to millions? Looking at the store's impressive track record, expectations are sky-high.
A Legacy of Legendary Christmas Giveaways
Epic Games Store has built a formidable tradition of dropping highly coveted, premium games on December 25th. This isn't the time for small curiosities; it's when they deliver a true showstopper. The historical evidence speaks for itself:
- 2024: Control (Remedy's acclaimed supernatural action-adventure)
- 2023: The Outer Worlds (Obsidian's beloved sci-fi RPG)
- 2022: Death Stranding (Hideo Kojima's genre-defying epic)
- 2021: Prey (Arkane's masterful immersive sim, currently just $6.00 on Humble Bundle)
- 2020: Darkest Dungeon (The brutal and stylish gothic RPG)
The pattern is clear: these are all acclaimed, content-rich, single-player experiences from mid to high-profile studios. Indies need not apply for this particular slot. This historical precedent is why the gaming community is currently abuzz with theories worthy of a detective board.
Community Speculation: What Could the 2025 Christmas Game Be?
Fueled by the established pattern, players on forums and social media are piecing together clues. The speculation isn't just wild guessing; it often looks at games published by Epic's partners, titles not currently on sale on the EGS, and games that would generate massive hype.
A vibrant hub for this detective work is a dedicated Reddit thread on r/EpicGamesPC, where thousands of users are sharing and debating the most compelling candidates. Among the frontrunners emerging from the community are:
- Redfall: Arkane Austin's cooperative shooter has been suggested frequently. Notably, it's not currently on sale on the Epic Games Store, which some see as a potential hint for a giveaway.
- High on Life: The absurdist comedy FPS from Squanch Games fits the profile of a recognizable, single-player-focused title that would make a major splash.
- Detroit: Become Human: Quantic Dream's narrative powerhouse would be a massive get and perfectly aligns with the "premium single-player experience" trend.
Mark Your Calendars: The Big Reveal
While the guesses will fly until the very last minute, one thing is certain based on Epic's stellar history: disappointment is unlikely. The Christmas Day game has consistently been one of the highlights of the digital gaming year.
The ninth and final mystery game will be unveiled and available to claim on December 25, 2025, at 16:00 UTC. Until that moment arrives, you have until the same time to secure The Calisto Protocol for $0 in the Epic Games Store.
What's your prediction for the Christmas giveaway? Let us know which blockbuster you think will be waiting under the digital tree this year.